Rock 'n' Roll Nashville Marathon
The Lowdown
The Rock 'n' Roll Nashville Marathon builds on the long-running Rock 'n' Roll series tradition of combining live music with road racing and community celebration. Launched as part of the broader Rock 'n' Roll franchise, the Nashville event has become a distinctive stop on the spring race calendar, drawing both local runners and visitors attracted to Nashville’s music legacy. The race offers a competitive full marathon distance alongside shorter race options and expo festivities the weekend of March 21, 2026, and serves as an accessible goal race for recreational and seasoned marathoners alike. The course winds through many of Nashville’s most iconic neighborhoods and landmarks, offering a scenic and varied route that highlights the city’s skyline, historic districts, and stretches along the Cumberland River. Runners pass by Broadway and the honky-tonks, run through tree-lined residential streets and park sections, and enjoy multiple music venues and live bands positioned along the course to keep energy high. The relatively flat to gently rolling profile makes for fast, runnable sections ideal for first-time marathoners chasing a strong finish or experienced athletes seeking a Boston qualifying time. Race-day atmosphere is famously festive—bands, cheer zones, themed mile markers, and enthusiastic local crowds create a concert-like environment that distinguishes Rock 'n' Roll events from typical road races. Race weekend includes an athlete expo, fun post-race party, and family-friendly activities, emphasizing entertainment as much as performance. The marathon course is certified by USATF and is a Boston Marathon qualifying course; it is not currently designated as an AIMS or World Athletics labeled race.
Race Day
Weather Forecast
Elevation
Terrain Profile
Relatively flat course
Participants
Field Size
Large field
Crowd Rating
Spectator Support
Excellent spectator turnout
This race qualifies for the Boston Marathon
Race Weekend
Other distances available
Notable Landmarks
Broadway (Honky Tonk Highway)
Runners thunder down the iconic strip lined with live music venues and neon lights in downtown Nashville
Ryman Auditorium
The historic 'Mother Church of Country Music' is a scenic photo point as the course winds past this legendary performance hall
Centennial Park & The Parthenon
The marathon route passes near this park featuring a full-scale replica of the Parthenon, a major mid-course landmark
Music Row
Participants run through Nashville's music industry district, home to recording studios, publishing houses, and country music history
Tennessee State Capitol
The course includes views of the Greek-revival capitol building perched on a downtown hill
Nissan Stadium (riverfront)
The route skirts the Cumberland River and offers views of the home of the Tennessee Titans and the riverfront park areas
Vanderbilt University / West End
The race travels past the university's leafy campus and the West End neighborhood, a common mid-course stretch for spectators
Nashville, TN, United States
US
Based on nearby accommodations
The race offers a booking portal with partner hotel options
- Must be at least 18 years old on race day to participate in the marathon
- All entrants must complete official online registration and sign the race waiver
- Photo ID required to pick up race packet and bib
- Bibs are non-transferable; unregistered participants are not permitted to run
- Official course time limit is 7 hours; participants must maintain required pace to meet road closures
- Wheelchair and handcycle entrants must register in the appropriate division and contact race organizers for classification and accommodation
- Medical clearance recommended for participants with known medical conditions or recent injuries
- Participants must follow all race rules and marshal instructions to remain eligible to continue
- Government-issued photo ID (driver's license or passport)
- Printed or digital registration confirmation (order/bib confirmation)
- Signed race waiver (digital or at packet pickup)
- Proof of age for age-group award eligibility (birth certificate or government ID)
- Online Registration
- Charity Entry
- Tour Operator
- On-site Registration
- Virtual Entry
Cancellation & Refunds
Policy details
No refunds under any circumstances
Deferrals to the 2027 Rock 'n' Roll Nashville event permitted for a fee until 30 days before race day (until 2026-02-20)
Bib/entry transfers to another participant allowed for a processing fee until 14 days before race day (until 2026-03-07)
Name changes allowed for a fee up to 7 days before race day (until 2026-03-14)
Event organizer may offer a virtual race option in case of cancellation; virtual entry details and any fees will be announced if needed
The course runs through downtown Nashville and Music Row, passing landmarks such as the Tennessee State Capitol, Vanderbilt University, and Centennial Park before finishing near the lively Broadway area.
Live bands and entertainers are staged throughout the course, providing the signature Rock ‘n’ Roll race atmosphere and encouragement at frequent intervals.
Finishers receive a custom finisher medal and a technical long- or short-sleeve race shirt, and there is a post-race beer garden plus food and recovery stations in the finish area.
The event weekend includes a Health & Fitness Expo with packet pickup, vendor booths, and race-day information, and there is typically a kids' run and family-friendly activities on race day.
Aid stations are placed approximately every 1.5–2 miles with water, electrolyte drink, and gels at select stations; downtown parking is limited so organizers recommend using shuttles, rideshare, or public transit and arriving early for the 7:20 AM start.
Community
Stories, tips, and race-day snapshots from runners who have tackled this course.
Community Reviews
Learn from fellow runners and share insights that will help the next person toe the line.